Inspection Facility

ABSTRACT

An enhanced claims settlement apparatus may process insurance claims rapidly and accurately. The apparatus may first receive a notification of loss associated with an insured item (e.g., car, boat, truck, home, etc.). The apparatus may then apply various algorithms for using sensors to identify, analyze, and estimate the cost of damage associated with the insured item. The sensors that are a part of the enhanced claims settlement server may include cameras, tactile sensors, electromagnetic sensors, etc. that may communicate data to a processor associated with the server. Once the data has been generated and analyzed by the sensors, a claim settlement file may be transmitted to a claimant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/458,388 entitled “Enhanced Claims Settlement”and filed on Apr. 27, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/480,207 entitled “Enhanced Claims Settlement”and filed on Apr. 28, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to an enhanced claimssettlement platform through which claims may be settled rapidly andaccurately. In particular, aspects of the disclosure allow for insuranceclaims to be processed and settled through an automated end-to-endprocess.

BACKGROUND

Handling insurance claims can be a time-consuming and complex processfor both the claimant and the claims processor. The claimant oftenstarts the process with a first notice of loss to a claims processingoffice associated with an insurance company. Usually, a claims adjusterwithin the claims processing office is assigned to the case to assessthe damage for which compensation is sought.

The claims adjustment process can involve paperwork processing,telephone calls, and potentially face-to-face meetings between claimantand adjuster. In addition, time can elapse between a first notice ofloss from the claimant and the final settlement of the claim.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the present disclosure inorder to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention.This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or todelineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merelypresents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description provided below.

Aspects of the disclosure involve a streamlined and efficient processfor claims management and disclose methods, computer readable media, andapparatuses for processing and settling claims related to an insureditem quickly and accurately. An enhanced claims settlement server maymanage the settlement process from initial notification of loss to finalsettlement of the claim with a claimant.

In another aspect of the disclosure, an enhanced claims settlementserver may communicate with a variety of sensors for assessing damage toinsured items.

Further aspects of the disclosure may be provided in a computer-readablemedium having computer-executable instructions that, when executed,cause a computer, user terminal, or other apparatus to at least performone or more of the processes described herein.

Additional aspects of the disclosure may relate to an apparatuscomprising: a processor; and a memory configured to store computerreadable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform a method comprising: receiving a notification of aninsurance claim associated with an item; using a plurality of sensors,analyzing and estimating a cost of damage associated with the item;based on the analysis and the estimate, generating a claim settlementfile that includes the estimate of the cost of damage associated withthe item, a list of vendors for repairing the item; and a payment to theclaimant for the insurance claim.

Moreover, additional aspects of the disclosure relate to a methodcomprising: receiving, from a user device operated by a claimant, anotification of an insurance claim associated with an item; using aplurality of sensors associated with a processor of an enhanced claimssettlement server, analyzing and estimating a cost of damage associatedwith the item; based on the analysis and the estimate, using theprocessor, generating a claim settlement file that includes the estimateof the cost of damage associated with the item, a list of vendors forrepairing the item; and a payment for compensating the claimant for theinsurance claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and is notlimited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numeralsindicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative operating environment in which variousaspects of the disclosure may be implemented.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of workstations and servers that may beused to implement the processes and functions of certain aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a first process flow using an enhanced claimssettlement server in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enhanced claims settlement apparatus in accordancewith at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second process flow using an enhanced claimssettlement server in accordance with at least one aspect of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, methods,computer-readable media, and apparatuses are disclosed in whichinsurance claims may be settled through an enhanced automated process.In certain aspects, an enhanced claims settlement server manages theclaims settlement process from an initial notice of loss to transmittalof an appropriate payment for the claim.

The automated process may utilize various hardware components (e.g.,processors, communication servers, memory devices, sensors, etc.) andrelated computer algorithms to examine an insured item after a claim hasbeen filed for that item and to generate a settlement file that mayinclude information regarding an estimate of the damage caused to theitem, approved vendors and available times for repairing and/orreplacing the item, and a payment and/or wire transfer to a claimant orvendor for the loss.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced claims settlementserver 101 in communication system 100 that may be used according to anillustrative embodiment of the disclosure. Enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may have a processor 103 for controlling overall operation ofthe enhanced claims settlement server 101 and its associated components,including RAM 105, ROM 107, input/output module 109, and memory 115.

Input/output module 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touch screen,and/or stylus through which a user of enhanced claims settlement server101 may provide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker forproviding audio output and a video display device for providing textual,audiovisual and/or graphical output. Software may be stored withinmemory 115 to provide instructions to processor 103 for enablingenhanced claims settlement server 101 to perform various functions. Forexample, memory 115 may store software used by the enhanced claimssettlement server 101, such as an operating system 117, applicationprograms 119, and an associated database 121. Processor 103 and itsassociated components may allow the enhanced claims settlement server101 to run a series of computer-readable instructions to determine anestimate of loss suffered by a claimant and generate the appropriatepayment for the loss. In addition, processor 103 may determine anapproved list of vendors for replacing and/or repairing an item thatrelates to a claim. Processor 103 may also schedule and acceptappointments with vendors that may aid in repairing/replacing the item.

The enhanced claims settlement server 101 may operate in a networkedenvironment supporting connections to one or more remote computers, suchas terminals 141 and 151. The terminals 141 and 151 may be personalcomputers or servers that include many or all of the elements describedabove relative to the enhanced claims settlement server 101. Also,terminal 141 and/or 151 may be sensors such as cameras and otherdetectors that allow damage related to an insured item for which a claimhas been filed to be assessed. The network connections depicted in FIG.1 include a local area network (LAN) 125 and a wide area network (WAN)129, but may also include other networks. When used in a LAN networkingenvironment, the enhanced claims settlement server 101 is connected tothe LAN 125 through a network interface or adapter 123. When used in aWAN networking environment, the enhanced claims settlement server 101may include a modem 127 or other means for establishing communicationsover the WAN 129, such as the Internet 131. It will be appreciated thatthe network connections shown are illustrative and other means ofestablishing a communications link between the computers may be used.The existence of any of various well-known protocols such as TCP/IP,Ethernet, FTP, HTTP and the like is presumed.

Additionally, an application program 119 used by the enhanced claimssettlement server 101 according to an illustrative embodiment of thedisclosure may include computer executable instructions for invokingfunctionality related to settling an insurance claim quickly andaccurately (e.g., seconds or minutes). In one embodiment, the entireclaim settlement process discussed herein may occur in ten minutes orless.

Enhanced claims settlement server 101 and/or terminals 141 or 151 mayalso be mobile and/or portable terminals including various othercomponents, such as a battery, speaker, and antennas (not shown). Inthis regard, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may be a handheld orotherwise portable device that may be used to scan and process aninsured item from all relevant angles.

The disclosure is operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with the disclosure include,but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-heldor laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframecomputers, and distributed computing environments that include any ofthe above systems or devices, and the like.

The disclosure may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environmentswhere tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linkedthrough a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including non-transitory memory storage devices,such as a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), and read only memory(ROM).

Referring to FIG. 2 , a system 200 for implementing methods according tothe present disclosure is shown. As illustrated, system 200 may includeone or more workstations/servers 201. Workstations 201 may be local orremote, and are connected by one or more communications links 202 tocomputer network 203 that is linked via communications links 205 toenhanced claims settlement server 101. In certain embodiments,workstations 201 may run different algorithms used by enhanced claimssettlement server 101 for settling a claim submitted by a claimant, or,in other embodiments, workstations 201 may be different types of sensorsthat provide information to enhanced claims settlement server 101 forassessing damage to an insured item for which a claim has been filed. Insystem 200, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may be any suitableserver, processor, computer, or data processing device, or combinationof the same.

Computer network 203 may be any suitable computer network including theInternet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network(LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, aframe relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, avirtual private network (VPN), or any combination of any of the same.Communications links 202 and 205 may be any communications linkssuitable for communicating between workstations 201 and enhanced claimssettlement server 101, such as network links, dial-up links, wirelesslinks, hard-wired links, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a first process flow 300 using an enhancedclaims settlement server 101 in accordance with at least one aspect ofthe present disclosure. The process 300 may start out with a firstnotification of loss associated with an insured item 301 to enhancedclaims settlement server 101. The notification may be an automatednotification of an accident from a telematics device, smart phone,and/or other device to enhanced claims settlement server 101. In certainembodiments, if the accident is associated with a vehicle (e.g., car,truck, boat, etc.) the telematics device and/or smart phone may includean impact sensor that automatically transmits a notification of theaccident involving the vehicle to enhanced claims settlement server 101when certain impact parameters are detected. Additional information suchas speed, braking or acceleration for the time period immediatelypreceding and immediately subsequent to the accident as well as vehicleidentifying information or insured information also may be transmittedby the telematics device and/or smart phone and the enhanced claimssettlement server 101. The vehicle identifying information may includelicense plate number, vehicle identification number, and/or vehiclemake/model.

In other embodiments, the claim settlement process 300 may be initiated303 by the swipe of an insurance card or card including identificationinformation (such as a credit card) through a sensor or card reader 305of enhanced claims settlement server 101. The insurance card or othercard including identification information may include informationrelated to the identity of the claimant (e.g., name, date of birth,terms of active insurance policies, etc.). In other embodiments, theclaim settlement process 300 may be initiated by driving to apredetermined location associated with server 101 and having a licenseplate and/or vehicle identification number (VIN) read by a processor 103(e.g., when the insured item 301 is a vehicle).

In certain aspects, the claim settlement process 300 may use one or moresensors 305 that are a part of or in communication with enhanced claimssettlement server 101 to assess damage associated with insured item 301.The sensors 305 may function simultaneously or sequentially (e.g.,insured item 301 may be moved from one sensor station to another) togather data about damage related to item 301.

The sensors 305 that are a part of enhanced claims settlement server 101may include various types of cameras (e.g., movable cameras, etc.) fortaking optical digital images and/or other computing/mechanical devices201 that may make laser and/or tactile measurements. The sensors 305 mayalso measure the interaction of pressure (e.g., sound) waves or X-rayson the insured item 301 to analyze damage to the insured item 301. Inyet other embodiments, various types of imaging technologies may be usedto analyze the insured item 301. For instance, magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI), infrared imaging, 3-d imaging technologies (e.g.,holographic imaging, etc.), and/or various types of tomography may beused to image insured item 301. The sensors 305 may also sense fluidssuch as transmission fluids, brake fluids, engine oil, etc. leaking frominsured item 301. In other embodiments, sensors 305 may sense variousaspects of tires that are a part of insured item 301 (e.g., when insureditem 301 is a vehicle). For instance, sensors 305 may indicate that aframe associated with a body or a rim associated with a tire of insureditem 301 is bent.

When the insured item 301 is a vehicle, enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may also dock with an on-board diagnostic (OBD) or OBD-IIsystem that may be a part of the vehicle's electronics system. Theinformation recorded by the OBD and/or OBD-II system may include coolanttemperature, engine RPM, vehicle speed, timing advance, throttleposition, and the oxygen sensor, among other things. The OBD/OBD-IIsystem or other system may also be used by enhanced claims settlementserver 101 to check the mileage in a vehicle for underwriting and/orpricing purposes. All of this information may be used by enhanced claimssettlement server 101 to evaluate any damage to insured item 301.

In addition to gathering information through various sensors, enhancedclaims settlement server 101 may also include a computer interface for aclaimant to input information and/or answer questions (e.g., anautomated questionnaire, etc.) around prior damage, liability,particulars of an accident, etc.

In certain aspects, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may beconfigured to detect fraudulent claims. For instance, the automatedquestionnaire discussed above may also ask about an accident associatedwith the claim. The answers to the questions regarding the accident maybe compared to the actual damage or sensor or OBDII readings associatedwith insured item 301. If enhanced claims settlement server 101determines that there are discrepancies between the actual damage orsensor or OBDII readings associated with insured item 301 as assessed bysensors 305 and a description of the damage provided in the answers tothe automated questionnaire, then enhanced claims settlement server 101may notify a claims adjuster (e.g., adjuster 309, discussed below) tointervene or take other action such as to terminate the claim. Also, ifinsured item 301 is a vehicle, server 101 may compare particulars aboutthe vehicle (e.g., make, model, year of manufacture, VIN, etc.) topreviously-obtained vehicle information (e.g., stored in a memoryassociated with server 101 and/or on file with an entity managing server101) for detecting fraud. Further, if after further analysis, the numberof false positives for detecting fraud is beyond a predeterminedthreshold, the algorithm and/or questions used to detect fraud may beadjusted accordingly.

As another example, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may be able todetermine the speed of the insured item 301 (e.g., a vehicle) when anaccident occurs. The speed determined by enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may be compared with the speed indicated by a claimant in thequestionnaire. Finally, the enhanced claims settlement server 101 mayalso be able to determine the number of people and the positions of eachindividual in the insured item 301 (e.g., a vehicle) when an accidentoccurs. This information may also be compared with the correspondingdescriptions indicated by a claimant in the questionnaire.

In other aspects, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may be able tointerface with other databases/systems. For instance, server 101 mayinterface with meteorological databases to retrieve the weatherconditions at the time of an accident associated with insured item 301.Server 101 may also interface with law enforcement databases to retrievepolice reports of an accident associated with insured item 301 or withmedical records or other databases related to people involved in anaccident associated with the insured item 301.

Once the insured item 301 has been adequately analyzed by sensors 305,enhanced claims settlement server 101 may then generate a claimsettlement file 307. In certain aspects, enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may automatically generate claim settlement file 307. Theclaim settlement file 307 may include an estimate 307 a of the damage toinsured item 301, approved vendors 307 b with available times forrepairing and/or replacing insured item 301, a list of parts and partvendors for repairing the insured item 301, a list of replacements andreplacement sources for the insured item 301 and various portions ofinsured item 301 where repair is not feasible, and a payment or wiretransfer 307 c by an entity (e.g., an insurance company) managingenhanced claims settlement server 101 to an insured of insured item 301(e.g., the claimant) for the assessed damage associated with insureditem 301, among other things. In addition to or alternatively, if theowner of insured item 301 is to be provided compensation for loss/damageto insured item 301, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may generatea payment card (e.g., a prepayment card) that may be used by the ownerof insured item 301.

In another aspect of the disclosure, claim settlement file 307 maystipulate various terms of the settlement, including discounts providedto an owner of the insured item 301 for errors on the part of enhancedclaims settlement server 101. For instance, the claims settlement file307 may provide for a predetermined discount (e.g., 10% off) for anyout-of-pocket expense associated with replacing/repairing the insureditem 301 if the enhanced claims settlement server 101 does not detectall of the damage associated with insured item 301 (e.g., hidden damage)and/or if the estimate 307 a of the damage to insured item 301 is notaccurate (e.g., as determined by an adjustor or a third party vendorsuch as a repair shop). Moreover, once the claim settlement file 307 hasbeen generated by enhanced claims settlement server 101, the informationin file 307 may be transmitted to an owner of insured item 301.

In general, the claim settlement file 307 may resolve all the issuesassociated with settling a claim involving insured item 301.Alternatively and/or additionally, if the claim settlement file 307 doesnot resolve all the issues (e.g., damage cannot be assessed,disagreement between the claimant and the enhanced claims settlementserver 101, etc.) or for verification or training associated withsettling a claim involving insured item 301, the enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may refer a claimant to a personal adjuster 309for generating or verifying a finalized estimate of any damage.

The adjuster 309 may view the insured item 301 through a video feed andenhanced claims settlement server 101 may manipulate sensors 305 (e.g.,cameras, etc.) to capture a desired view. For instance, the enhancedclaims settlement server 101 may allow the adjuster to communicate viaan electronic interface that instructs the server 101 to move sensors305 to a given angle. Alternatively or in addition, insured item 301 maybe directly manipulated by sensors 305 (e.g., mechanical arms, etc.) toallow adjustor 309 to examine a desired view of the insured item 301.For instance, the adjuster may instruct server 101 to move robotic armsor lifts that are able to position the insured item 301 so that theadjuster can view an appropriate portion of insured item 301.

As mentioned above, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may generateholograms (e.g., based on magnetic resonance imaging (Mill) or othertechniques using predictive computer-aided design (CAD)-typetechnologies, etc.) for allowing adjusters and other individuals to viewthe insured item 301. The holograms may represent three-dimensionalimages of insured item 301 and may allow individuals to view theexterior of insured item 301 as well as features internal to insureditem 301. For instance, a hologram may allow the different componentscomprising a vehicle's engine to be viewed and analyzed in ways thatwould not be feasible with traditional imaging modalities.

In some aspects, computer algorithms 311 which may be used indetermining damage may be based on specifications and/or tolerances datarelated to a manufacturer of insured item 301. The computer algorithms311, which may be stored in a memory 115 of enhanced claims settlementserver 101, may also direct enhanced claims settlement server 101 toautomatically delete any photos non-relevant to damage of/data relatedto insured item 301 based on a comparison of the photos/data tomanufacturer specifications/tolerances. Once the data/photos related toinsured item 301 are generated by various sensors 305 and/or once theclaim settlement file 307 is generated by enhanced claims settlementserver 101, the enhanced claims settlement server 101 may allow accessof the file 307 and/or data/photos to an individual/group associatedwith insured item 301 (e.g., the claimant, etc.). In some embodiments,claim settlement process providers 313 may receive the payment 307 c sothat they may transmit the payment 307 c to either the claimant, vendor,or a third party vendor (e.g., for repairing/replacing insured item301).

In other aspects, enhanced claims settlement server 101 mayautomatically apply a deductible amount to any claim settlement file 307generated through process 300. In addition, enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may also automatically generate cross-sell material (e.g.,other products/services offered by the entity managing enhanced claimssettlement server 101) for review while a claimant waits for a claimsettlement file 307 to be generated. For instance, if the entitymanaging enhanced claims settlement server 101 is an insurance company,the enhanced claims settlement server 101 may generate information aboutother types of insurance products offered by the insurance company whilethe claimant is waiting for the claim settlement.

In certain aspects, the entire process 300 may be highly automated and,therefore, completed in a short amount of time (e.g., seconds, minutes,etc.).

FIG. 4 illustrates an enhanced claims settlement apparatus 400 employingan enhanced claims settlement server 101 in accordance with variousaspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows an example of how theenhanced claims settlement server 101 may be used when the insured item301 is a vehicle 401. In FIG. 4 , an owner of vehicle 401 may file aclaim for damage to vehicle 401. The owner may notify enhanced claimssettlement server 101 through any of the various modalities mentionedabove, including automatic notification via a telematics device, throughmanual notification, and/or by simply driving to a predeterminedlocation associated with server 101. Vehicle 401 may be analyzed byvarious sensors 403 (e.g., cameras, tactile sensors, ultrasonic sensors,electromagnetic sensors, etc.), which may be a part of enhanced claimssettlement apparatus 400, to determine damage caused to vehicle 401 sothat a claim settlement file 307 may be generated by enhanced claimssettlement server 101. Enhanced claims settlement server 101 may alsoinclude a user interface 405 through which a user may perform variousactivities. For instance, a user may swipe an insurance card associatedwith vehicle 401 through user interface 405. In addition, a user may,through user interface 405, view/print photos, data, and otherinformation generated by enhanced claims settlement server 101.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second process flow using an enhanced claimssettlement server 101 in accordance with at least one aspect of thepresent disclosure. The process of FIG. 5 may start out at step 501where a first notification of loss may be transmitted to an enhancedclaims settlement server 101. As mentioned earlier, this notificationmay occur in various ways; for instance, either an automatic or a manualnotification may be transmitted from a communication device operated byan owner/operator of an insured item 301 (e.g., the claimant) and/or theinsured item 301 (e.g., a vehicle) may be driven to a predeterminedlocation associated with server 101. Alternatively or in addition, thefirst notification of loss may occur through the swipe of an insurancecard or other id card through a sensor 305 (e.g., a card reader)associated with enhanced claims settlement server 101. After thisinitial notification, the process may move to step 503 where sensors 305may analyze damage related to insured item 301. For instance, as shownin FIG. 4 , if the insured item 301 is a vehicle 401, the enhancedclaims settlement server 101 may house and/or be in communication with anumber of sensors 403 (e.g., cameras, electromagnetic sensors,ultrasound sensors, etc.) that generate photos, data, and otherinformation about the damage associated with the vehicle 401.

These photos and data may be analyzed through various algorithms storedas computer-executable instructions on enhanced claims settlement server101. Enhanced claims settlement server 101 may store predefined rulesfor determining key areas of insured item 301 to analyze and/or image.For instance, if the insured item 301 is a vehicle 401, the enhancedclaims settlement server 101 may use object recognition algorithmsand/or imaging software to determine the make/model of the vehicle 401and to compare photos of portions of a damaged vehicle 401 with photosof similar portions of an undamaged vehicle, such as photos obtainedfrom a manufacturer's specification. The object recognition algorithmsand/or imaging software may track one or many multiple specific pointsof a portion of the vehicle to determine which portions may be damaged.For instance, to determine if a door has actually been damaged, thealgorithms and/or software may track the center of a door to determineif the center is at an appropriate distance from an edge of the door.This analysis may also be used to determine the extent or level ofdamage to the car door (e.g., repair versus replace). As anotherexample, the enhanced claims settlement server may use infrared imagingtechnology to image the temperature of various components within avehicle's engine. By cross-referencing the temperature profile with theheat tolerances set by the manufacturer, enhanced claims settlementserver 101 may determine that the vehicle 401 may need certain enginecomponents replaced (e.g., a new timing belt, muffler, etc.). As yetanother example, tactile sensors that contact the contour of a vehicle401 may determine that certain body parts associated with the vehicle401 have dents and/or scratches that require repair.

In other aspects, the object recognition algorithms and/or imagingsoftware used to determine the make/model of the vehicle may be definedby manufacturer or after-market specifications and appropriatetolerances. For instance, a manufacturer specification may define theexact dimensions of a car door and/or an engine part. Because eachmanufacturer specification may have different definitions andtolerances, enhanced claims settlement server 101 may be able toretrieve the appropriate specification based on predefined criteria.

In analyzing the damage to the insured item 301, the enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may also determine the level of a particulardamage. For example, the enhanced claims settlement server 101 maydetermine whether the damage to the item 301 is small enough to berepaired or large enough to require replacement of the item 301 and/or apart of the item 301.

After sensors 305 gather and analyze data associated with insured item301, the process of FIG. 5 may then move to step 505 where enhancedclaims settlement server 101 may generate a claims settlement file 307.The claims settlement file 307 may be generated by determining theextent of the damage to insured item 301 and then cross-referencingpricing information accessible to enhanced claims settlement server 101.For instance, in the example of damage associated with a vehicle 401,enhanced claims settlement server 101 may access pricing information forreplacing the vehicle 401 or a part of vehicle 401 and/or for repairingthe damage to vehicle 401 stored in internal databases associated withenhanced claims settlement server 101. In addition, enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may access this information in remotely storeddatabases and/or through pricing information from vendors found on theInternet. The analysis of the data generated from sensors 305 and thepricing information cross-referenced from this analysis may form thebasis for the claim settlement file 307 generated in step 505.

As mentioned earlier, the claim settlement file 307 may include a costestimate 307 a for replacing/repairing insured item 301, a list ofvendors 307 b that will repair/replace insured item 301 with theircontact information (phone number, address, etc.) and the hours ofavailability, and a payment or wire transfer 307 c that may serve ascompensation for the loss suffered by the owner of insured item 301,among other things. The enhanced claims settlement server 101 maygenerate the list of vendors and associated information by accessinginformation stored in internal/remote databases (e.g., accessing the webpages of the vendors). To determine the vendors that are most convenientfor a particular claimant, the enhanced claims settlement server 101 mayinclude a global positioning system (GPS) that maps the closest distanceof various vendors with the home/work address of the claimant.

The process of FIG. 5 may then move to step 507 where the information inthe claim settlement file 307 generated in step 505 may be transmittedto the claimant. In some embodiments, the claimant may access theinformation in claim settlement file 307 through a user interfaceassociated with enhanced claims settlement server 101, such as userinterface 405. In other embodiments, the claimant may receive theinformation through an electronic device owned by the claimant (e.g.,laptop, mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), etc.). After theclaimant receives the information in claim settlement file 307, theclaimant may use the information for replacing and/or repairing theinsured item 301. In particular, if the damage to insured item 301 isgreater than a predetermined threshold, the claimant may use theinformation in claim settlement file 307 for finding a replacement forinsured item 301 (e.g., a new car, etc.). In other embodiments, thepayment 307 c associated with a claim settlement file 307 may betransmitted directly to one of the approved vendors associated withreplacing/repairing insured item 301. The claimant may then take insureditem 301 to the vendor to have the item 301 repaired and/or replaced. Inyet other embodiments, several different vendors may bid on how muchrepairing and/or replacing insured item 301 will cost. In this instance,enhanced claims settlement server 101 may transmit data related to thedamage (e.g., photos, other sensor-generated data, etc.) to allow thevendors to generate a price quote. Once the enhanced claims settlementserver 101 receives bids from all the vendors, the enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may select the best (e.g., based on factors suchas quality, location, and price) bid for repairing/replacing insureditem 301.

If there are any unresolved issues in the claim settlement file and/orif the claimant has any unanswered questions, the process may optionallymove to step 509 where the claimant may be referred to a personal claimsadjuster. In other cases, a personal claims adjuster may receive thecase if the damage to insured item 301 is beyond a predeterminedthreshold. In this embodiment, the claims settlement process discussedin FIG. 3 may never move forward; instead, the claims case may godirectly to a personal claims adjuster.

In some embodiments, vendors/claimants may transmit feedback to enhancedclaims settlement server 101 so that enhanced claims settlement server101 may determine the accuracy of the estimate 307 a for the cost ofdamage to insured item 301, as stated in the claim settlement file 307.In this case, the computer-executable program instructions stored onenhanced claims settlement server 101 may be updated as needed to createmore accurate estimates. For instance, if the enhanced claims settlementserver 101 repeatedly predicts that the cost of replacing a certain typeof damage to a car door is $200 above what is being charged by vendors,the computer-executable program instructions stored on enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may be updated (e.g., the algorithm may bechanged) to reduce the estimate generated when sensors 305 detect thistype of damage in the future. Further yet, if enhanced claims settlementserver 101 predicts that damage to a vehicle is so severe that thevehicle needs to be replaced and feedback indicates that repair shopsare able to fix the damage for a predetermined amount, thecomputer-executable program instructions stored on enhanced claimssettlement server 101 may be similarly updated to correctly associatethe types of damage with the vehicle to whether the vehicle needs to bereplaced or repaired.

One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the methods andsystems discussed herein may be applied to all forms of insurance (e.g.,home, auto, etc.) and financial services. For instance, themethods/systems of this disclosure (e.g., enhanced claims settlementserver 101, handheld devices, etc.) may be used to process a homeowner'sclaim (e.g., for an insured home).

Aspects of the invention have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications andvariations will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from areview of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the steps discussed herein may be performed inother than the recited order, and that one or more steps may be optionalin accordance with aspects of the invention.

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program instructions stored thereon that when executed by a processor, cause a computing device of an inspection facility to: initiate an automatic inspection of a vehicle in response to receiving the vehicle at an inspection location within the inspection facility, the inspection facility comprising a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled with the computing device, wherein the plurality of sensors comprise one or more lasers; receive damage information corresponding to the vehicle within the inspection facility, the damage information including a description of the location of damage; analyze the damage information to identify a desired view of a portion of the vehicle; control movement of the plurality of sensors to manipulate the position of the sensors with respect to the vehicle based on the analyzed damage information to examine the desired view of the portion of the vehicle, wherein the desired view of the portion of the vehicle incudes damage to the vehicle; control operation of the plurality of sensors to make laser measurements of the vehicle using the one or more lasers, wherein the plurality of sensors generate sensor data characterizing one or more physical conditions of the vehicle when the vehicle is positioned at the inspection location; receive, from the plurality of sensors, the sensor data characterizing the one or more physical conditions of the vehicle; receive vehicle specification data; compare the one or more physical conditions of the vehicle to the vehicle specification data; determine vehicle exterior damage based on the comparison of the one or more physical conditions and the vehicle specification data; determine vehicle interior damage based on the determination of the vehicle exterior damage and the comparison of the one or more physical conditions and the vehicle specification data; receive, from an on-board diagnostic system on the vehicle communicatively coupled to the computing device, vehicle operation information data, the vehicle operation information data characterizing operation of the vehicle, the vehicle operation information data comprises vehicle condition information; identifying one or more operating conditions of the vehicle, at least in part on the, vehicle condition information; determine an estimated cost to repair the vehicle based, at least in part, on the vehicle exterior damage, the determined interior damage, and the identified operating condition of the vehicle; and generate a claim settlement file based on the automatic inspection wherein the claim settlement file comprises the estimated cost to repair the vehicle.
 2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor further cause the computing device to: perform object recognition to compare one or more images of the vehicle with one or more images of an undamaged vehicle of similar make and model.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the vehicle operation information comprises at least one of a speed measurement characterizing a speed of the vehicle, a braking measurement characterizing a braking of the vehicle, or an acceleration measurement characterizing an acceleration of the vehicle.
 5. (canceled)
 6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the vehicle condition information comprises at least one of a vehicle mileage measurement characterizing a number of miles the vehicle has traveled, a coolant temperature measurement characterizing a temperature of coolant of the vehicle, an engine speed measurement characterizing a speed of an engine of the vehicle, or an oxygen sensor measurement characterizing an oxygen reading at the vehicle.
 7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to: present an interface comprising a plurality of questions regarding the vehicle, and receive an answer to each question of the plurality of questions.
 8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 7, wherein: the plurality of questions comprises a first question regarding prior damage to the vehicle, a second question regarding an accident involving the vehicle, and a third question regarding liability for the accident.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to: perform a comparison between the sensor data and one or more answers received in order to determine whether an insurance claim associated with the vehicle is potentially fraudulent.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to: notify an insurance claims adjuster in response to determining that the insurance claim is potentially fraudulent.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the claim settlement file further comprises a product discount or a service discount available to an individual associated with the vehicle when an actual cost to repair the vehicle exceeds the estimated cost to repair the vehicle.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: controlling the order in which the plurality of sensors is operated comprises moving the vehicle from a sensor station to another sensor station.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the claim settlement file further comprises payment information characterizing a payment that settles an insurance claim associated with the vehicle.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors comprises a camera.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to: automatically control, during the automatic inspection, operation of a plurality of mechanical devices to position the vehicle at the inspection location.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors comprises a fluid sensor.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors comprises an infrared sensor.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein: the plurality of sensors is remotely controllable from a location located remotely relative to the inspection facility.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the computing device to: receiving insurance customer information from a card reader of the inspection facility, the card reader being configured to read the insurance customer information from a card associated with an individual that is associated with the vehicle, the card being an insurance card or a credit card; and provide a first notice of loss for the vehicle, the first notice of loss comprising the insurance customer information.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor further cause the computing device to: determine whether to either repair or replace a damaged portion of the vehicle. 